From October 25-28, 2018, 250 artists, students, educators, and sculpture enthusiasts gathered for the 28th International Sculpture Conference: Defining Moments in the Face of Change. Participants traveled from near and far to attend the conference in the City of Brotherly Love.

Over 35 speakers enlightened participants through dynamic panel discussions at Moore College of Art and Design, speaking on topics such as the hybridity of materials, multi-ethnic perspectives, and public art engagement. Attendees also traveled throughout the city to attend a variety of hands-on workshops and trips.

City tours gave a chance to see what Philadelphia has to offer, including trips to artist studio collectives and maker spaces, and visits to historic sites like City Hall and Eastern State Penitentiary, among others. Attendees also traveled to The Seward Johnson Atelier, where they heard technical talks, wandered the Grounds for Sculpture, and heard from the artists with works on view.

Some highlights included an opening reception at the 201 Hotel, a reception at University of the Arts, an exhibition by Jake Beckman, and a performance piece hosted by artists Christopher Olszewski and Michael Flynn where attendees were able to build their own cheesesteaks. The finale of the conference featured a profoundly moving Keynote Address by Doris Salcedo, where she illustrated how she represents survivors of sexual violence and refugees in her work. The conference ended at Moore, where guests mingled with their new friends and discussed the Keynote Address with the local art community.